The Ultimate 5

The Ultimate 5 Review

The Ultimate 5 by Pragmatic Play takes players on an exhilarating safari adventure across the African savannah. This high-volatility slot combines stunning visuals of the «Big Five» animals with innovative bonus features, offering a thrilling gaming experience for both novice and seasoned players.

Game Theme and Design

Pragmatic Play has crafted a visually appealing slot that immerses players in the heart of Africa. The game’s 5×3 grid is set against a backdrop of sweeping grasslands, acacia trees, and a winding river. The attention to detail is impressive, with white birds occasionally flying across the scene, adding depth and realism to the environment.

The symbols on the reels showcase the iconic «Big Five» animals — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — rendered in stunning detail. These high-paying symbols are complemented by lower-value playing card suits (10, J, Q, K, A), maintaining the game’s visual cohesion.

Gameplay and Features

The Ultimate 5 offers a solid foundation with its 20 fixed paylines, providing ample opportunities for wins. The game’s smooth and fast-paced gameplay ensures an engaging experience throughout your session.

Wild Symbol

The Wild symbol plays a crucial role in forming winning combinations. It substitutes for all regular symbols except the Scatter and Money symbols. However, it’s worth noting that the Wild doesn’t substitute for 5-of-a-kind combinations of high-paying symbols, adding an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.

Free Spins Feature

Landing 3 or more Scatter symbols triggers the Free Spins feature. The number of free spins awarded depends on the number of Scatters:

• 3 Scatters: 8 free spins
• 4 Scatters: 10 free spins
• 5 Scatters: 12 free spins

During the Free Spins round, the game introduces a unique level-up system. On random spins, the reel set can level up, removing the lowest-paying symbol from play. This progressive removal of low-value symbols significantly increases the potential for high-value wins.

Hold & Spin Super Boost Feature

This innovative feature is triggered by landing 3 or more Money symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4. Players are awarded 3 respins, with only Money symbols and empty spaces appearing on the reels. Each new Money symbol resets the respin count to 3.

What sets this feature apart is the potential for massive wins through the game’s jackpot system. Money symbols can land with cash values ranging from 1x to 10x the bet, or with one of five jackpot prizes:

• Mini: 25x bet
• Minor: 50x bet
• Major: 75x bet
• Maxi: 100x bet
• Mega: 500x bet

The feature continues until no new Money symbols land or the entire grid is filled, potentially leading to substantial payouts.

Volatility and RTP

The Ultimate 5 is classified as a high volatility slot, meaning that while wins may be less frequent, they have the potential to be significantly larger. This makes the game particularly appealing to players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.

The game boasts a competitive Return to Player (RTP) rate of 96.5%, which is above average for online slots. However, it’s crucial to note that this RTP may vary depending on the operator, so always check the specific game information before playing.

Maximum Win Potential

The Ultimate 5 offers a maximum win potential of 5,000x the player’s stake. While this may not be the highest in the industry, it’s still a respectable figure that can lead to substantial payouts, especially when playing at higher bet levels.

Tips for Players

• Given the high volatility, manage your bankroll carefully. Consider setting a budget and sticking to it.
• The Hold & Spin feature tends to trigger more frequently than Free Spins. Keep this in mind when deciding on your betting strategy.
• During Free Spins, pay attention to the symbol removal mechanic. As lower-value symbols are removed, your chances of hitting high-value combinations increase.
• In the Hold & Spin feature, aim to group sticky symbols together. This increases your chances of upgrading them to higher-value jackpots.

Final Thoughts

While The Ultimate 5 may not revolutionize the safari-themed slot genre, it certainly brings enough innovative features to stand out in a crowded market. The combination of stunning visuals, engaging bonus features, and high volatility creates an exciting gaming experience that will appeal to many players.

The Hold & Spin Super Boost feature, in particular, offers a fresh take on the popular Hold & Win mechanic, while the progressive symbol removal in Free Spins adds an extra layer of anticipation. Whether you’re a fan of animal-themed slots or simply looking for a high-volatility game with solid win potential, The Ultimate 5 is definitely worth a spin.